Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio faces reporters after giving a tour of the refurbished tennis courts in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on January 22, 2026. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio on Thursday assured that the venue for the inaugural Philippine Women's Open, particularly the tennis courts, is "95 percent ready" and will be fully functional before the tournament qualifiers commence on Saturday.
Gregorio gave a tour to the press, showing the refurbished areas in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, including a renovated media center and the tennis courts that will be used for the competition.
"Sa aking palagay, mga 95 percent na 'yan," said the sports executive.
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"Mga 95 percent na ready na 'yan. Last week, some of you were here, ang layo pa. Ngayon, tapos na. In the next 48 hours, total transformation na 'yan. Pati 'yung entrance ng Rizal Memorial [Sports Complex], fan zone, papunta sa tennis court, pati 'yung garden kung saan 'yung nakita niyo kanina na nila-landscape. The next 48 hours will be very good," he went on.
Rehabilitation efforts started in early December last year, Gregorio bared, and staff and workers from the PSC, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the City Government of Manila "did not spend the holidays" just to prepare the venue of the WTA 125 tourney.
"Talagang that's the objective, para maipakita natin lahat ng ginagawa natin rito sa Rizal Memorial Complex since early December. Wala pong humpay ito, walang tigil ito, walang Pasko, walang New Year. Talagang pinakiusapan natin lahat ng mga kawani ng PSC, DPWH, City of Manila — let's redevelop, transform Rizal [Memorial Sports Complex] as a showcase for our first-ever WTA 125 hosting," said Gregorio.
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"Alam mo, 'yan po ang kagandahan ng 'pag nagho-host ka ng isang sports tourism event, 'yung number one, pinapaganda mo 'yung complex mo. Number two, pinapaganda mo 'yung siyudad mo and nagtutulungan lahat."
Gregorio also revealed that the commission spent P100 million for the WTA tournament hosting, as well as the renovation of the sports complex.
"Ito po sa Rizal [Memorial Sports Complex], humigit-kumulang po mga 100 million including the hosting. Hindi po siya malaki. Alam niyo naman po, familiar naman kayo sa Rizal before we did all of this. Sa lahat ng sira, sa lahat ng dapat gawin. So all of this, mga 100 million po including the hosting of the WTA."
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The Philippine Women's Open main draw matches will take place on January 26 to 31, while the qualifiers will run from Jan. 24-25.
Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala earlier confirmed her participation in the tournament.